Victor Herbert — Art Is Calling for Me

(Verse 1) Mama is a queen and papa is a king So I am a princess, I know it But court etiquette is a dull dreary thing I just hate it all, and I show it To sing on the stage, that's the one life for me My figure's just like Tetrazzini I know I'd win fame If I sang in Boheme That opera by Signor Puccini I've roulades and the trills That would send the cold chills Down the backs of all hearers of my vocal frills (Chorus 1) I long to be a prima donna donna donna I long to shine upon the stage I have the embonpoint to become a queen of song And my figure would look pretty as a page I want to be a screechy peachy cantatrice Like other plump girls that I see I hate society I hate propriety Art is calling for me (Verse 2) I'm in the elite and men sigh at my feet Still I do not fancy my position I have not much use for the men that I meet I quite burn with lyric ambition Those tenors so sweet, if they made love to me I'd be a success, that I do know And Melba I'd oust If I once sang in Faust That opera so charming by Gounod Girls would be on the brink Of hysterics, I think Even strong men would have to go out for a drink (Chorus 2) I long to be a prima donna donna donna I long to shine upon the stage With my avoirdupois and my tra la la la la I would be the chief sensation of the age I long to hear them shouting "Viva" to the diva Oh, very lovely that must be That's what I'm dying for That's what I'm sighing for Art is calling for me